Code of Conduct
The Code of Conduct sets out the expected standards of behaviour for all volunteers. It forms part of the contract of volunteering and reflects the basic requirements of professionalism, integrity and courtesy needed to ensure that a quality service is provided to the people we support and all other stakeholders. It ensures that a pleasant, professional and safe working environment exists for all volunteers and that Inclusion Melbourne’s organisational values are upheld.
Responsibilities and Expectations
Inclusion Melbourne expects all volunteers to:
• Responsibly represent Inclusion Melbourne by working with honesty, integrity and accordance with the law.
• Comply with all of Inclusion Melbourne’s policies and procedures and duties stated in the Position Description.
• Diligently seek to provide a high quality service to the people we support, stakeholders and colleagues that reflect best practise and respectful relationships.
• Respect and represent the rights and welfare of the people we support, colleagues and stakeholders.
• Ensure that the safety, health and wellbeing of the people we support is upheld to a high standard, in accordance with Inclusion Melbourne’s policies and procedures.
• Ensure that any information regarding your role is effectively communicated with your line supervisor.
• Utilise the training opportunities provided by Inclusion Melbourne and proactively seek information to support you in your role.
• Not be adversely affected by alcohol or other drugs or medication at any time while providing support
Obligations of Inclusion Melbourne to volunteers
Inclusion Melbourne has an obligation to behave in a fair and reasonable manner towards its volunteers. As such; the organisation is committed to meeting the following expectations:
• Equal opportunities for volunteers
• Impartial and open selection and appointment procedures
• Up-to-date position descriptions that provide clear statements of duties and expectations
• Adequate training and equipment to complete duties
• Regular and appropriate feedback on voluntary work performance
• Effective communication of information
• Pleasant and safe working conditions
• Freedom from harassment or discrimination while volunteering at Inclusion Melbourne
• Appropriate procedure for feedback, complaints and disciplinary procedures
Appropriate relationships with the people we support
All volunteers should recognise the sensitivity of working with vulnerable people and show respect for, and protect, their dignity.
• Volunteers have a professional relationship with the people they support. As such, volunteers must not have a sexual, family or financial relationship with the people they support.
• All volunteers must inform their supervisor if they begin to volunteer with any person to whom they are related or with whom they have previously had a personal or financial relationship.
Respect for the Rights of Others
While volunteering with Inclusion Melbourne, volunteers have a duty to treat all the people we support, colleagues, stakeholders and the public with respect and professionalism.
At all times, volunteers are to conduct themselves in a manner that will not jeopardise or undermine the reputation or privacy of Inclusion Melbourne. This applies to all activities, comments, posts or discussions in the public arena, such as social media websites, industry meetings, public presentations, media interviews, etc. This Code of Conduct does allow volunteers to act in a private capacity to positively influence public opinion, or promote issues of interest. However, volunteers should still ensure that their conduct is consistent with the responsibilities described above.
Conflicts of Interest and Integrity
Volunteers are expected to be honest, fair and impartial when carrying out their duties. This means that:
• Volunteers will inform their supervisor if they have a personal or financial interest or commitment that could be seen as a conflict of interest
• Volunteers will treat all individuals and organisations equally
• Volunteers are not to lend to, borrow from, or otherwise enter into any financial arrangement with a person we support
• Volunteers may not seek any form of reward (including gifts, favours, prizes or fees) for performing their duties
Volunteers should speak to their line supervisor if they are unsure whether or not a particular situation is, or could be seen as, a conflict of interest.
Privacy, Security and Confidentiality
Inclusion Melbourne is committed to protecting all personal and health information that we collect, hold and use in accordance with the Commonwealth Privacy Act 1988, which includes the 13 Australian Privacy Principals.
Volunteers will be expected to:
• Ensure information held regarding the people we support, employees and volunteers is stored securely
• Use or disclose personal information only for the purpose for which it was collected
• Take reasonable steps to protect personal information from misuse, loss and unauthorised access, modification and disclosure
• Take reasonable steps to make sure that the personal information collected, used or disclosed is accurate, complete and up-to-date.
• Take reasonable steps to destroy or de-identify personal information that is no longer required for the purpose it was held
Inclusion Melbourne is committed to ensuring that the privacy and confidentiality of all people we support, staff, volunteers and business information is maintained by all associated with Inclusion Melbourne.
Zero tolerance of abuse of people with a disability and vulnerable elderly persons
Zero tolerance of abuse obliges a volunteer to uphold the human rights of people with a disability and vulnerable elderly persons. A worker must not commit any form of abuse, harassment, exploitation or neglect. A worker must also actively report cases of abuse or neglect and speak up if they suspect that abuse is occurring.
1. A volunteer worker must provide services without engaging in abuse, exploitation, harassment or neglect.
Volunteers are expected to:
• Never abuse, exploit, harass or neglect a person with a disability or vulnerable elderly persons always take report to your supervisor if you have any reason to believe the person you are supporting has been abused, exploited, harassed or neglected, to ensure they receive appropriate support (for example, medical support, counselling and support to report abuse to the police)
2. A volunteer worker must report any form of abuse or suspected abuse
As a volunteer you must:
• Take all allegations of abuse seriously
• Report any abuse or suspected abuse to your supervisor or manager and, if necessary, other relevant authorities in line with your organisation’s reporting policy and procedures. This includes reporting incidents that raise concerns about the support provided by another worker, volunteer, family member, carer, people with a disability or a community member.
• Facilitate access to independent support, such as an advocacy service or the Office of the Public Advocate, where a person’s rights are not being upheld.
• Participate in training, information sessions and supervision provided by your employer that assists you to understand:
What abuse is and its various forms
The application of this code of conduct.
3. A volunteer worker must not engage in sexual abuse or misconduct and must report any such conduct by other workers, people with a disability, family members, carers or community members
As a volunteer you must:
• Always report sexual misconduct and abuse
• Recognise the power imbalance between you and a person receiving your support and how this affects the kinds of behaviour that are appropriate
• Never engage in any sexual conduct with a person who you support, including actions committed by force, intimidation, coercion or manipulation
• Never engage in any form of sexual activity or behaviour with a person who you support. This includes sexual advances and sexual, personal or erotic comments.
4. A volunteer worker must show respect for people’s cultural and linguistic background, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage, age, gender identity, sexual orientation and abilities when providing services.
As a volunteer you must:
• Be aware of and actively listen to the expressed needs, values and beliefs of people from cultural, religious and ethnic groups that are different from yours, about culturally relevant needs that affect the delivery of support services. This includes vulnerable elderly persons, people with a disability, their families, carers and advocates
• Consult with families, carers, advocates and other supports to clarify cultural expectations when these are unclear or not currently being met
• Respect religious or spiritual beliefs and practices that are different to your own
• Ensure cultures that are different from your own are acknowledged and respected.
5. A volunteer worker must act ethically, with integrity, honesty and transparency
As a volunteer you must:
• Respect the privacy of people with a disability and their families, carers and advocates
• Display professionalism while providing support services
• Communicate in a language, form, manner and tone that enables people with a disability to understand the information provided and to make their preferences known
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries, and act at all times to protect the boundaries of the professional relationship
• Always recommend and provide supports that serve the needs and interests of people with a disability
• Never use the power you have over people who you support for personal gain.
